Palestinian Faction Leaders to Hold More Talks on Unity Government

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says his talks with Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal were fruitful and negotiations on forming a unity government will continue.

The two met in Damascus, Syria Sunday for talks on a unity government and ending fighting between Hamas and Mr. Abbas's Fatah movement.

Mr. Abbas said more talks will be held in the coming weeks. He and Mashaal stressed that political violence among the Palestinians must end.

Fatah and Hamas have been locked in a power struggle that became violent in December.

Mr. Abbas has threatened to hold early elections if he does not make progress with Hamas. The Palestinians hope that a unity government will persuade western donor nations to revive aid to the Palestinian Authority.

Aid was suspended after Hamas won parliamentary elections last January and formed a government.